Very Best of Myanmar – 11 Days

We will embark on a journey to discover the vibrant city of Yangon.

Key Highlights:

• Stroll through the city center, taking in the bustling atmosphere filled with street vendors, pedestrians, and charming colonial architecture.

• Visit the impressive Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda, home to a giant reclining Buddha statue.

• Stop for photos at Karaweik Hall and the picturesque Royal Lake.

• Explore Bogyoke Market (also known as Scott Market), regarded as the premier shopping destination in the country.

• Conclude the day by witnessing a beautiful sunset at Shwedagon Pagoda, a revered symbol of Yangon.

In the early hours, board a short flight to Bagan. Upon your arrival, your tour guide will lead you through the stunning landscapes and remarkable architecture of the area.

Bagan is an enchanting destination that captivates many travelers. Known as the "city of four million pagodas," it stands as one of the most significant archaeological sites in Asia. Currently, there are over 2,000 pagodas, temples, and monasteries, with the majority constructed during the Bagan Dynasty established by King Anawrahta in 1044.

Our first stop will be the bustling Nyaung U Market, where you'll find excellent photo opportunities and a chance to interact with local residents while observing their daily routines.

Afterward, we will continue our sightseeing with the following highlights:

• Ananda Temple, an architectural marvel of the millennium.
• Hti-Lo-Min-Lo Temple, featuring a two-story structure adorned with intricate stucco work.
• Shwe-Zi-Gon Pagoda, regarded as a model for all future temples of its kind.

If time permits, we may explore additional sites within this UNESCO World Heritage location.

You'll embark on a drive to Mount Popa, the remnant of an extinct volcano that was active around 25,000 years ago. Often referred to as the "Mt. Olympus" of Myanmar, it serves as the home of the nation’s most revered Nats (spiritual beings) and stands as the principal Nat worship center. The journey from Bagan will take approximately an hour, during which you'll pass through palm plantations. Along the way, we will stop to observe skilled toddy-palm climbers as they harvest palm wine from the treetops and visit a cottage where toddy palm juice and jaggery (palm sugar) are produced.

While Bagan is renowned for its vast array of ancient temples, it is also celebrated for its exquisite handicrafts. After lunch at a local restaurant, we will visit a workshop to witness the meticulous and time-consuming process of crafting high-quality lacquerware, some of which is made using bamboo and twisted horsehair.

To conclude the day, we will head to the jetty for a delightful evening, where you can enjoy a sunset boat ride along the Ayarwaddy River.

You will travel to Mandalay in a private car, allowing you to experience the authentic local life of Myanmar along the way. The journey will take approximately four hours. Upon your arrival in Mandalay, you can enjoy some downtime at the hotel.

As sunset approaches, we will head to the renowned U Bein Bridge for a breathtaking view of the sunset. Spanning 1.2 kilometers (0.75 miles) and constructed around 1850, this bridge is considered the oldest and longest teakwood bridge in the world. Walking on the bridge during sunset is a truly enchanting experience.

On our return, we will stop at the Mahamuni Buddha Temple, a must-see in Mandalay, known for its remarkably lifelike Buddha image. After visiting the temple, we will return to the hotel following dinner at a local restaurant.

We will begin our exploration of the nearby cities around Mandalay. Our first destination is Sagaing Hills, where the highlights include:

• The Saunders’ Weaving and Vocational Institute, dedicated to preserving and enhancing weaving techniques and training.

• The U Min Thonze Pagoda, recognized for its unique architectural style.

Next, we will continue to Inwa (Ava), where we will take a horse and cart ride to visit the BaGaYa Monastery, renowned for its impressive 276 teak pillars.

Following the horse and cart tour, we will head to Amarapura to visit "Tatkyi Village." The local economy here revolves around crafting clay pottery, including teapots, tea cups, platters, flower vases, and more. You’ll have the opportunity to learn about, experience, and participate in pottery-making techniques such as wheel throwing, hand-building, trimming, and decorating. Finally, we will return to the hotel.

We will commence our sightseeing with a boat tour along the Ayeyarwady River to reach Mingun, followed by a walking exploration of the area. The key attractions include:

• The Mingun Bell, which weighs 90 tons and is recognized as the largest ringing bell in the world.

• Hsinbyume Paya, also known as Mya Thein Tan Pagoda, which symbolizes the Sulamani Paya and is said to rest atop Mt. Meru.

After our visit, we'll return to Mandalay by boat. Following lunch, we’ll dedicate the afternoon to exploring significant sites in Mandalay, focusing on the city's remarkable historical and cultural landmarks:

• The Mandalay Royal Palace, the final royal residence of the last Burmese monarchy.

• Kuthodaw Pagoda, celebrated as the largest book in the world.

• Shwenandaw Monastery (Golden Palace Monastery), renowned for its exquisite wood carvings.

• As the day concludes, we will head to Mandalay Hill for a breathtaking 360-degree view of the city from its summit.

You will be transferred to the airport for a short flight to Heho, lasting approximately 30 minutes.

Upon arrival, you'll head to Pindaya by car. This journey offers beautiful views of the hill station as you traverse scenic landscapes. The large Banyan Trees near the Pindaya Caves are also a popular spot for photos.

Next, you'll explore the Pindaya Caves, home to a vast array of Buddha images dating back to the late 18th century. The caves are famous for their stunning stalactites and stalagmites. Afterward, we will visit the traditional cottage industry of umbrella making and Pone Ta Lote Lake. Finally, you'll drive to the hotel for check-in.

From the Taunggyi road, a stunning view of Inle Lake unfolds, appearing like a vast expanse of greenery. The lake is adorned with stilt-house villages and floating gardens, home to the Intha tribe. Notably, the Intha's leg rowing technique—where one leg wraps around the paddle to move it through the water in a fluid, snake-like motion—is quite distinctive.

On our boat tour of Inle Lake, you will immerse yourself in a unique lifestyle that has been preserved through generations while exploring the culturally rich surroundings of this enchanting region in Myanmar. Each guest will be provided with a life jacket and a comfortable seat aboard the boat.

Your sightseeing adventure on Inle Lake will include visits to:

• Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the key religious symbol of Shan State.

• Nga Phe Chaung Monastery, a charming wooden monastery.

• Floating Villages (Innpaw Khone, Pouk Par, Ywa Ma, Khar Taw).

These attractions offer valuable insights into the livelihoods of the lake's inhabitants, allowing you to observe unique one-leg rowing fishermen, lotus and silk weaving, boat-making, and cheroot crafting.

After lunch, we'll head to Indein and embark on a short trek to Indein Pagoda. Along the way, you can soak in the peaceful ambiance as you stroll among the beautifully scattered 8th-century pagodas, now in ruins and cloaked in greenery. You'll also have the chance to witness the daily lives of the Intha tribes and explore the local market along the shore. Finally, we will return to the hotel.

You will be taken to the airport for a brief flight back to Yangon. Upon arrival, your transfer team will be there to greet you, and you will then be taken to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore Yangon at your leisure.

Enjoy breakfast and take some time to relax until it's time to head to the airport for your departure flight. You will be transferred to Yangon International Airport three hours before your scheduled departure.